Tyler Hoog was able to partake in two of his favorite family traditions this year: a pumpkin carving contest and a gingerbread house contest.

His creations maybe weren't as pretty as they were in the past, but he participated, and that's all that matters.

"It was cool to watch him back in his own environment doing the same things he was before," said Tyler's younger brother, Thomas Hoog, a sophomore at Skyline High School. "It just looks a little different."

On Aug. 28, 2011, Hoog was involved in a four-wheeling accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After several weeks in a Denver hospital, he transferred to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, spending nearly three months there.

Sunday marked the one-year anniversary of his return home. It's been a year marked with milestones, achievements and, for the most part, a return to everyday life.

"I've had some cool things happen," said Tyler, who is a senior at Skyline.

Tyler is still paralyzed, but has made significant physical strides in the past year.

A year ago, he could barely stand 2-3 minutes in a standing frame without support; now, he can not only stand in the frame, he can walk 20-30 minutes. His toes have developed to the point where he can flex them up and down. His right arm is stronger and his right middle finger wiggles more than it used to. He can also use the thumb and index finger on his right hand to make a relatively strong pinch. (He has experienced very little recovery in his left arm and hands).

Those might seem like small developments to one who hasn't gone through the process, but they have been major milestones to Tyler.

Spinal cord injuries are classified on an ASIA scale, for the American Spinal Injury Association. ASIA A is complete impairment, meaning there is no movement or feeling below the level of injury. That's where Tyler started this process 16 months ago. A year ago, he was moved to ASIA B, with some sensory or movement. Today, he is at ASIA C, which he said means "there is strong movement in certain muscles and accurate feeling below level of injury."

Skyline High School senior Tyler Hoog, paralyzed in a four-wheeling accident 16 months ago, is in the process of visiting colleges.
(Lewis Geyer/Times-Call)

ASIA E (which is normal motor and sensory function) is a long way off, but Tyler is pleased with the progress he's made and optimistic for his future.

"I don't think my body has recovered as far as it's going to, but I think based on where I am right now, (walking) is a big jump," he said. "I don't want to say no, because you never want to say no, but I have no doubt I'd be able to do it with help."

Aside from the physical improvements, Tyler's year has included a return to school -- he will graduate on time, in May, with his classmates -- a feature story on the Big10 Network with his cousin Kenny Bell, who is a wide receiver at Nebraska, and his first public speaking engagement at his therapy center in Thornton.

Then came the family contests. Using the mouth stick on his wheelchair, he was able to carve a pumpkin and assist in making a gingerbread house.

Looking into the future, Tyler hopes, of course, for more physical improvements. But he's also looking forward to college next fall. He fell in love with the University of San Diego, and has also applied to George Mason and North Carolina.

"I'm definitely really excited for next year," he said.

Considering the life change that took place 16 months ago, however, Tyler isn't complaining about the past year, either.

"It's been a good year," he said.

Follow Brian on Twitter: @BrianHowell33.

Tyler Hoog reacts as his mother Kim tries to give him a kiss while strapping him into his wheelchair in the family's home in Mead last March.
(Times-Call file photo )

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